A Responsible technological transformation framework for micromobility manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The manufacturing sector is experiencing rapid technological disruption driven by Industry 4.0 and the transition toward Industry 5.0. While these advancements promise efficiency and innovation, they also raise critical concerns regarding ethics, sustainability, and workforce displacement. This study examines Responsible Technological Transformation (RTT) as a framework for balancing technological adoption with social, environmental, and organizational considerations. Drawing on Dynamic Capability Theory, Socio-Technical Theory, and Resource Dependence Theory, the research develops and empirically tests a model linking Human–Machine Collaboration (HMC) and Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) to Technology Readiness at both technical (TRL) and organizational (OTRL) levels, with RTT mediating their effects on supply chain capabilities and manufacturing performance. A survey of two hundred respondents from Sri Lanka’s micro-mobility manufacturing sector was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Sri Lanka serves as a representative case of developing economies navigating responsible transformation, offering insights for other emerging manufacturing contexts. Unlike prior studies focused narrowly on Responsible AI or Industry 4.0/5.0, this research integrates HMC, HCAI, TRL/OTRL, and RTT into a unified pathway, uncovering how responsible transformation translates human- centered technologies into resilience, agility, and firm performance. Results reveal that HMC and HCAI significantly enhance both TRL and OTRL, with organizational readiness exerting a stronger influence. RTT emerges as a critical enabler of Supply Chain Resilience (SCR) and Supply Chain Agility (SCA), which in turn positively impact Manufacturing Firm Performance (MFP). The study concludes that sustainable competitiveness in manufacturing depends on embedding responsibility alongside technological adoption.